I chose to marry Cormac. Even if it was in a moment of weakness. I could have gone back to Regan’s, and I could have figured out a way to pay for school.
Deep inside, I wanted Cormac.
But if we don’t make this work, there will be consequences neither of us is prepared for, and I’m terrified all over again.
Chapter 36
Cormac
November
I’m midway through my lesson on renal pharmacokinetics and rub the chalk from my dusty fingers. This ancient school drips with tradition and still loves chalkboards.
Seventy faces stare back at me, quiet and oh, so obedient. After a couple of months, I realize I’m pretty good at teaching.
My wife sits three rows up, fingers moving fast over the keyboard, a dark glossy braid falls over her shoulder. I don’t think she’s washed her hair or showered in days because she’s hit an all-in stride in the semester, and when she’s not in class, she’s doing labs, study groups, and spending all her leftover hours in the library.
“When clearance drops below thirty, you adjust dosage accordingly. Here is how you figure it out,” I say, turning back to the board.
Movement from the side doorway that leads to the academic offices catches my attention. I pivot to see Harrow’s face fill the narrow window.
Fuck.
Something happened if he came tomy job.
Even though there’s a hand up from the top row, I say to the class, “I apologize, I have something that needs my attention. Finish this chapter and bring any questions to the next class.” I end the lecture. “You’re dismissed.”
The room rustles with excitement over the twenty extra minutes they’ll have free. Scarlett looks up at me, brows knitting, and mouths:What was that?
I shake my head once. But she keeps her eyes on me.
I mouth:Let it go.
She doesn’t like that answer, butshe gathers her things, rolling her eyes.
I’m out the side door before the room fully clears out. In the hallway, I grab Harrow by the sleeve and drag him into my office.
After slamming the door and locking it, I grit out, “You don’t come here.”
He straightens his shirt cuffs, a nervous tick I’ve noticed. “You didn’t answer my last text.”
“And that should have told you that I’m done.” My pulse hammers in my throat. “You can’t just show up on campus like this. The fucking Feds were here.”
Harrow’s gaze goes wide, but he shakes that away. “This guy is different. This one is selling to kids.”
I lower my head. Where does my revenge end? I’ve done some bad things, but I never sold to a kid. Not even close. That makes me sick.
“This is the last one,” I say. “And you will not contact me again for this.”
Harrow nods, seeing I’ve reached my limit. From his coat, he gives me the package. Photos, details, and two vials.
“You did a good thing all these months.” He pats my arm and leaves without another word.
In the hallway, Scarlett is there. Her eyes follow Harrow, trying to place him as he leaves.
“Are you okay?” she asks.
“Yeah.”